I agree - I was looking at the new models - the Timberjack and Woodsmoke. I'm sort of looking for a hardtail, flatbar bike. Something for more technical trails especially bikepacking. And especially since I now have 2 drop bar adventure bikes. That said, I do like the Cutthroat. The new Fargo looks good too.

I have been waiting all year to hear about the 2017 Tamland, but I have a feeling I might be disappointed. I love my current Tamland but it is just too heavy for me. I personally feel like the tubeset choice was wrong, but I know I am in a minority on that. I have held off on just getting a Roker to see what would happen with the Tamland. Of course, thru axles and the tapered head tube are very predictable (almost required at this point?). Mentioning that this will be lower cost also lowers my hopes that the bike might use a different, lighter tubeset and maybe a carbon fork...

Has anyone ever seen a carbon Merit, or ever heard of anyone who saw a Merit? It's like the bike does not even exist. Terrible marketing effort by Raleigh. There is one Velonews review that is worse than useless... they should send me one and I will give it a proper review.

I need a new road bike to replace my Salsa Pistola, which is a fine steel bike but no longer really suitable for me these days for the riding I want to do (longer story). I have waffled back and forth over different bikes now for more than a year, everything from getting a Waterford or Gunnar, to a Defy, to just getting a carbon Roker and using it as a road bike. A Vaya is not quite the bike I am looking for and it looks like the Colossal is being discontinued (and honestly they reverted to using cheap gas pipe to position it as a low cost bike and I could never have justified it to replace the beautiful Pistola) I need help!

2017 Tamland comes with a full carbon monocoque fork (same as Roker). As for the tubing, there is a reason Raleigh went with the 631. GT explains the reasoning in his Tamland review,

"The Tamland is made from steel, Reynolds 631, to be exact. Raleigh went to Reynolds when they were developing the Tamland with the intentions of using an 853 tube set. However; it was changed to 631 on the insistence of Reynolds when they learned it was to be a more vibration reducing design for gravel. 853 being deemed too stiff for the application".

Agree on the Merit, marketing has been next to nothing. I have an Elite and its very nice.

Hey DPCX, thanks for that very interesting info! I guess that throws the 2017 Tamland back in the mix for me.

Did I hear you right that you have a Merit Elite? If so, I would LOVE to hear more about it. I am trying to decide on a bike for mountain road centuries/fondo rides. Bikes like the Defy or Domane probably have the right kind of geometry I am looking for. The Merit could be a good choice also, but I was surprised how short the chainstays are for an "endurance" bike and I am unsure how it really handles. I have never owned a CF bike so the ~20 lbs weight of the Merit is just fine for me (but I am very light and don't want to punish myself needlessly on long climbs so would like to keep it around 20 lbs). Also being light to begin with, I'm not sure the suspension seatpost and stem are something I need -- how are those working in practice?

What I would like is a bike that climbs well and will help me get down the descents safely. I mangled my collar bone last year and now am terribly nervous on any high speed descent. It's like a bad case of PTSD or something...

I also keep thinking of just getting a Roker and using it as a road bike, but then I also know that a quicker-handling bike can more fun and even more safe in any group riding. (I already go back and forth with this on my current Tamland versus my Pistola, two very different bikes).

@reanimated yes, i have a Merit Elite but mine isn't stock. I got a great deal on a frame set (knew a guy) so I built it up myself. Its a total mix of parts. SRAM Red 10spdUltegra cranksTRP Spyre carbon brakesFSA carbon bar/postAmerican Classic Carbon 40 wheels w/28c Clement Strada LGG (120tpi)etc....

Weighs in just over 17 w/o pedals and rides very nice. I love the short stays, acceleration is pretty quick for an endurance bike. As for the anti shock stuff, I do have the seatpost but its on my Roker. Absolutely love it. You hardly know its there until you ride something without it. I don't use the stem though. You could always do like you said, get a Roker and use it for both but personally these two bikes ride very different so I'm glad I have both to choose from. Hope this helps.

Have you ridden this bike yet? Wondering how it handles, and how the ride is. Now it comes with a carbon fork which can be good as long as its not too stiff. And the mechanical brakes vs the hydraulic that are on most bikes, how are they? It would be great to get an overall review if you have ridden it. I haven't seen any of these bikes either but am interested in the Tamland 1. Thanks in advance.

Have you ridden this bike yet? Wondering how it handles, and how the ride is. Now it comes with a carbon fork which can be good as long as its not too stiff. And the mechanical brakes vs the hydraulic that are on most bikes, how are they? It would be great to get an overall review if you have ridden it. I haven't seen any of these bikes either but am interested in the Tamland 1. Thanks in advance.

Yes I've ridden it (the 2 that is) as well as the previous version. It handles very well, smooth and stable. I personally like it better with the stiffer carbon fork. The frame is very compliant and even though the front end is stiffer with the fork and tapered head tube its not too stiff. Moving to thru axles front and rear help it feel much more stable at speed in the corners The 1X also worked just fine but I personally prefer a 2x on my adventure bikes. Hydraulic brakes would have been a better choice but the TRP mechanical were most likely a price point thing. If you're interested in the Tamland 1 (I haven't ridden this) I'm sure the ride is relatively the same, its just a little heavier and of course comes with narrower tires. Also, the fork is probably a little less stiff than the Tamland 2 since its a carbon/alum bonded vs. a full monocoque carbon. Hope this helps!

Thanks for that review. It is very helpful. Interesting to hear that you feel the fork is stiffer but prefer it that way anyhow. As far as the brakes go, I haven't had discs yet. Some people seem to prefer the adjustability mechanical but others say they need too much finagling with to get them just right without rubbing. My guess is that coming to them from rim brakes, the mechanical discs would be an improvement just so long as they aren't to finicky.

@DCPX thanks for the thoughts about the Tamland and do you have a guesstimate on overall weight?Thanks@pauley the disc brake set up is a breeze, only need to move the pads in when they start to wear. Accomplished with a hex wrench on the caliper, very easy to do. Simply adjust to your liking. My technique is to bring the pad in till it is in full contact with the rotor then back it out till I can see a gap between the rotor and pad doing this on both sides. Then adjust more or less depending on lever feel, done. I personally never had a rubbing issue. Just take a little time to understand them. The TRP's are very good brakes and are easily user serviceable.

@pauley the disc brake set up is a breeze, only need to move the pads in when they start to wear. Accomplished with a hex wrench on the caliper, very easy to do. Simply adjust to your liking. My technique is to bring the pad in till it is in full contact with the rotor then back it out till I can see a gap between the rotor and pad doing this on both sides. Then adjust more or less depending on lever feel, done. I personally never had a rubbing issue. Just take a little time to understand them. The TRP's are very good brakes and are easily user serviceable."

Seems like there is something to be said for mechanical brakes like the TRP's. At least if they start rubbing on a ride you can adjust them. My friend has hydraulic brakes that often start rubbing and there isn't much he can do until he gets home or takes his bike to the shop. I'm considering the Tamland 1 and Jamis Renegade Elite. http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/renegadeexploit.html The Jamis has a little bit better wheels (I think) and cockpit has Ritchey parts which are nice. It also has hydraulics which most people say are better but I'm not sure its worth more modulation and power if mechanical discs are more than adequate and also more practical.

One Raleigh rep I talked said they are coming out with A Tamland frame with S&S couplers in 2018.Now until I see it in print from them,I would just take it something on the drawing board at Raleigh.Just have to wait and see.

Originally Posted by jjbnum3One Raleigh rep I talked said they are coming out with A Tamland frame with S&S couplers in 2018.Now until I see it in print from them,I would just take it something on the drawing board at

I heard that as well from a rep also, I also heard the 2018 Tamlands would be available in Jan 2018 too. Supposed to be some major updates. I see some slight changes with the Willard platform but nothing on the Tamland yet. Agree about it just being speculation at this point cause media usually gets a hold of the new stuff sooner. They could be simply shifting their introduction for other issues though. Who knows for sure, I hope they stay in the gravel game.

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